Today was our final day in Nashville as we closed out our week at all of our ministry sites. So, we began our day eager to see all of our ministry sites one more time.
Group 1 went to Project C.U.R.E. in the morning where they continued to help the organization take inventory on all of their supplies. It has been years since they have had a true inventory of everything and so the group helped provide the manpower to sort all of the medical supplies, scan them into the computer, and stack them on the shelves. It was a huge step for the organization to be able to track the supplies they give and receive to better meet the needs of the city. In the afternoon, group 1 went to a ministry called Operation Stand Down that seeks to serve veterans. They provide counseling, clothing, job help, and other services to veterans that are in need of help. The main project for the group was to paint a huge storage shed that contains a lot of the supplies and donations that the organization gives to and uses for veterans. It was eye-opening for the group to see and hear about all of the challenges that face veterans after they get back from war.
Group 2 spent their morning at a new ministry site called Matthew 25 which is a shelter for men. It specifically targets men who are a significant portion of the homeless population in Nashville. In addition to learning about the struggles that homeless men face in the city the group served lunch, sorted clothing donations, and cleaned up. This was a great opportunity for the group to see an organization that targets a specific population which allows them to focus how they do things to see the specific needs of needy men. During the afternoon, group 2 went back to Magnus Potter boys and girls club to have a final afternoon with the kids that they have gotten to know throughout the week. It was exciting to see the kids again, but it was also sad to have to say goodbye to all of the kids that have become special to the group.
Group 3 had a great morning with the Andrew Jackson boys and girl club that they have been serving all week. The group has established some deep bonds with the kids that they have been serving and getting to know all week. Although it was sad to say goodbye the group was confident that they left the kids motivated to continue working hard in school and in life. After lunch the group headed downtown to participate in "Beat the Heat". This was an exercise that pushed the group to interact with local people in Nashville by handing out waters to those that look like they could need it. It was interesting to see where the homeless congregate on a hot day and how grateful they were for the water. The group sought not only to handout water but to also have conversations with the people they meet and hear their stories which is always a great opportunity to hear why they ended up on the streets and how they hope to get off.
Group 4 spent their entire day at one of the local soup kitchens called Loaves and Fishes. The soup kitchen was not actually serving food today because they only serve food on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. So, the group spent the day cleaning, organizing, and packaging. They cleaned the kitchen, floors, bathrooms, and even some yard work to make the outside look nice. In addition to cleaning the building the group sorted clothing donations and packaged them up to be handed out later in the week. The day of service was a huge gift for loaves and fishes so that the staff would not have to take time doing it themselves and it really allows them to provide a clean place for all of the homeless men and women to congregate.
After breakfast Group 5 just stayed at the housing site to write letters of encouragement to all of the people we partnered with. All of the sites we went to partner with so many volunteers throughout the year that they rarely get feedback from the volunteers on their experience. So, this was a great opportunity to give some kind and encouraging words to these wonderful people who have sacrificed their lives to serve the city of Nashville. After lunch group 5 went to a new ministry site called Open Table that has multiple homeless shelters around the city and also advocates heavily for the rights of and housing for homeless men and women. They work hard to provide food and temporary housing, but their main goal is to establish long-term housing for as many people as possible. Our group setup all of the beds and tables for the homeless men and women that would be staying overnight. We finished the setup early and so wanted to provide an special gift to the residents, and so the group ran to Walmart to buy some chess/checkers boards to provide entertainment for the men and women who were coming that night.
It has been a great week and we are excited to head back and see everyone tomorrow. If you would like to receive text updates with our eta throughout our trip then please text NASHPARENT to 41411.
